Landlords - is your property fit for human habitation?

In the first part of 2018 there was a lot of talk around the HOMES (fitness for human habitation) Bill. It had originally be rejected by the government but in the wake of the Grenfell disaster and the way in which the tenants safety had been compromised, the bill has been brought back up for discussion.

It will be discussed in the house of commons on 26th October and it is likely to be passed.

If it becomes law it will ensure:

• That all landlords (both social and private sector) are required to ensure their property is fit for human habitation at the beginning of the tenancy and throughout the duration of the tenancy.
• That if this is not done, the tenant will have the right to take legal action in the courts for breach of contract on the grounds that the property is unfit for human habitation.

The main point to note here is the wording "throughout the duration of the tenancy" this means even if the property was in good condition when it was rented out, if issues occur during the period of the tenancy a landlord must be able to show they responded in a timely manner.

This would include a clear (ideally photo-based) check-in inventory, evidence of swift and effective repairs when something such as the breakage of a sole toilet in a property occurs, regular inspection reports, noting any issues and what is being done to resolve them and a clear (ideally photo-based) check-out inventory.

If your property is managed by an agent, they should arrange regular inspections and respond quickly to reports of any repair issues. If you manage the property yourself you must ensure you are contactable and that you respond quickly to any reports your tenants make. You should also carry out regular inspections to ensure the property is in good condition.

Do you feel like managing your own property is taking up too much of your time? Unsure if you are adhering to all the new legislation coming in at the moment? Call us today on 01424 731731 and we will be happy to go over the management options with you.

Are you happy managing your own property but would like someone to go in and do an inspection every six months? We can carry out a one off inspection visit and report for £54 including VAT.